Page 401

1870-'71.] Document No. 0. 31
situated. They are an enterprising people, but nature has
placed barriers'in their way to the adoption of any uniform
school system. I hope, however, that some plan may yet be de-vised
by which they may be able to overcome some of the
natural disadvantages that stand in their way.
In the town of i3eaufort, there has, for many years, been a
classical school, in an Academy which is the private property
of one of the citizens ; but very little life has been exhibited
as yet, towards encouraging common schools. The wealthy
have erroneously concluded that they have no cause to teel an
interest in Public Schools ; while the poorer classes lack either
ability or enthusiasm. But this is applicable to nearly all sec-tions
of the State, and is not the peculiar fault of the Beaufort
people.
In the western end of the County, the iires of enthusiasm
f )r learning have been kindled in several neighborhoods during
the last tour years.
AVhen I first came to Newport, in 1866, I sought correspon-dence
with a classifical teacher, and soon found what I sought
in the person of W. T. 11. Bell, a young Virginian, a graduate
of William and Mary College, with also the advantage of one
session in the law course at the University of A^rginia. (Mr.
Bell commenced his labors at Newport where he taught one
session ; then removed to Hull Swamp, and conducted the
Belmont Academy until the close ot the year—then, under-took
the Academy at IIarlow\s creek, wliere he continues to
teach with great success.)
The Academy at Harlow's Creek is under the auspices of
Mr. II. AV. Bell. Several of Mr. Bell's students have been
examined by me during the past year and they have invariably
^'iven the most ready and correct answers to the questions
asked of any teachers' examined, except one educated at AVest
Point. Thus you see, from small beginnings, a lire of magni-t:
i.]o has been kindled. The accomplished Principal of the
lV'ai»ody school at Newport is one of Air. Bell's students, and
];ke liis f )i-n!er preceptor lias the hajjpy art ot infusing among

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1870-'71.] Document No. 0. 31
situated. They are an enterprising people, but nature has
placed barriers'in their way to the adoption of any uniform
school system. I hope, however, that some plan may yet be de-vised
by which they may be able to overcome some of the
natural disadvantages that stand in their way.
In the town of i3eaufort, there has, for many years, been a
classical school, in an Academy which is the private property
of one of the citizens ; but very little life has been exhibited
as yet, towards encouraging common schools. The wealthy
have erroneously concluded that they have no cause to teel an
interest in Public Schools ; while the poorer classes lack either
ability or enthusiasm. But this is applicable to nearly all sec-tions
of the State, and is not the peculiar fault of the Beaufort
people.
In the western end of the County, the iires of enthusiasm
f )r learning have been kindled in several neighborhoods during
the last tour years.
AVhen I first came to Newport, in 1866, I sought correspon-dence
with a classifical teacher, and soon found what I sought
in the person of W. T. 11. Bell, a young Virginian, a graduate
of William and Mary College, with also the advantage of one
session in the law course at the University of A^rginia. (Mr.
Bell commenced his labors at Newport where he taught one
session ; then removed to Hull Swamp, and conducted the
Belmont Academy until the close ot the year—then, under-took
the Academy at IIarlow\s creek, wliere he continues to
teach with great success.)
The Academy at Harlow's Creek is under the auspices of
Mr. II. AV. Bell. Several of Mr. Bell's students have been
examined by me during the past year and they have invariably
^'iven the most ready and correct answers to the questions
asked of any teachers' examined, except one educated at AVest
Point. Thus you see, from small beginnings, a lire of magni-t:
i.]o has been kindled. The accomplished Principal of the
lV'ai»ody school at Newport is one of Air. Bell's students, and
];ke liis f )i-n!er preceptor lias the hajjpy art ot infusing among